Project Management?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Marvin1, Mar 16, 2009.

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  1. Marvin1

    Marvin1 New Member

    So what's the deal with a BA in Project Management? I made the decision that this is what I would most enjoy doing, and after searching through some of the major schools in Texas it appears that it is offered primarily on a MA level. Am I off base in assuming that most schools have an undergraduate Project Management program?

    Thanks

    MP
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I think you're right, i.e., the project management degree is primarily a master's level thing (or, at any rate, I do not recall any bachelor's programs in project management being listed in Bears' Guide). However, while doing some net surfing recently, I stumbled across the fact that Malone University www.malone.edu in Canton, Ohio offers a BS in Project Management online.
     
  3. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    I would look into an undergrad degree in business that would give you a good solid base in IT, Finance, etc. After that, go get a MA in Project Mgmt. You'd be a more well-rounded PM with the undergrad coursework in various areas.
     
  4. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    bazonkers is right, I cannot imagine someone having doing project management without at least a foundation in business skills. A BSBA with an emphasis in PM makes more sense than a BS in PM. At least from my experience so far (which is I admit, limited).
     
  5. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Project Management can be supported by several bachelors;

    Engineering (software and civil)
    Construction Management
    Architecture
    Computer Science(software)
    Business
    Information Systems (especially financial and healthcare)
    Technology (implementations, especially wireless)

    What are your interests and future plans?
     
  6. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Having been a project manager or project engineer in the aerospace industry on and off over the years I agree with all the above responses to the initial post. In many industries it is rare for someone to be a project manager continuously - projects come and go - some are profitable and some lose money. And in my career I have never met a program manager who did not have a background and technical degree related to aerospace engineering.
     
  7. Marvin1

    Marvin1 New Member

    Thanks for the feedback.

    My interest is simply to lead. I am currently in a marketing role and everytime I have been asked(twice) to represent my dept. on a project I have found it extremely invigorating and gratifying when the project is complete. This tells me that I would be happy in a PM role. I am currently working towards a marketing degree but I am thinking of switching to something that would give me a better chance of pursuing a PM career.
     
  8. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Right on Kevin, but to my point you still need business skills regardless of discipline to be a successful PM. One of my jobs right now in fact is to provide business support for PMs who are highly technical (to a fault) but lack basic business skills. Nobody's an expert in anything. But if one were wanting to get into general project management I would recommend a business undergrad as this is more interdisciplinary in the workplace than say an MSCIS would be.
     
  9. Marvin1

    Marvin1 New Member

    I'm thinking BIS?
     
  10. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Business Information Systems? If so, let me recommend that you instead seek a traditional, can take it anywhere type of degree. Stay away from nontraditional titles or specialty programs unless you have a resume (experience) that can take you anywhere.

    Stick with a BA or BS in business and add an information systems minor. And in this minor make sure you have some type of programming and use-case coursework.

    There are some very respected schools offering business degrees via DL.

    Since you don't know where your life will take you I recommend you look at the jobs on Monster or some other job board. Type in some degree titles: i.e. bachelors in business and see what type of work comes up. You can also type in "Project Manager" in quotes and look at some of the qualifications.

    Another thought on project management as a career. Soft skills in the form of leadership, relationship/team building, influencing decisions, and handling adversity/controversy are not normally taught but rather are personal traits. If you don't have these traits consider how you will develop them.
     
  11. Marvin1

    Marvin1 New Member

    That's really good advice. Thanks Kevin
     
  12. Good points. Having spent time as a project manager / project director earlier in my career there are two general rules:

    1) Project management is 90% communication
    2) See #1

    If you're currently doing marketing and want to do project management within that context, then you might want to get a business undergrad with a marketing focus, and then pursue a master's in project management, OR seek PMI certification. If you're serious about being a PM, then certification is probably a better route anyway.

    In the company where I work, you can rise no higher than Associate PM without PMI certification. The catch-22 is that you need a certain # of hours, plus an undergrad (or in lieu, more hours) to be able to sit the exam. Make sure you keep track of your project lead work now!

    Check out www.pmi.org if you aren't familiar with the certification. Ultimately you'll want PMP but you can start out with CAPM if you have 1500 hours of project experience (not necessarily all in leading it). I don't know how valuable the CAPM title is, but PMP is worth its weight in gold.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 17, 2009
  13. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    If you work in the IT world, you can get your feet wet with a CompTIA Project+ Certification. It was not really too hard but not as easy as others. It is a great start to project management. After I finish my PhD, a PMP is in my sights.
     
  14. Marvin1

    Marvin1 New Member

    Question : For PMI, what is the criteria for getting credit for project experience? How do you prove your experience?
     
  15. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    PMI PMP Info

    links under Credential Overview (right side of screen)

    Take a look at page 7 of the Handbook and at the application form. You will need to self-certify the experience. PMI will audit folks during the year or over the years of certification.
     
  16. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member


    This is the best advice I've seen. I couldn't have said it better myself.
     
  17. SE Texas Prof

    SE Texas Prof Member

    Thoughts on Project Management

    I would definitely heed the examples given earlier regarding a potential project management track. I work in supply chain/logistics and project management is definitely needed in this field. I discovered PM while taking a contracts course at Keller Graduate School of Management. The instructor was so interesting and challenged me more than any instructor in the program. I switched from pursuing an MBA-HR to MBA-Project Management. I now hold a Master of Project Management. It has opened doors for me to teach project management-related coursework.

    IT/Project Management is a good fit and one that I suggest to my information systems students. It just makes you more marketable. DeVry University now offers a BSBA in project management. I know only a handful of schools that teach this at the bachelors level.


    Thanks,
     
  18. KariS

    KariS New Member

  19. Woho

    Woho New Member

    In the UK and some parts of Europe there is also the quite popular Prince2 certificate. It's offered by some sub agency of the British government and has therefor a certain credibility. The basic certification is actually quite cheap (~$200) and brings a lot less burdens than the PMP requirements.
    http://www.ogc.gov.uk/methods_prince_2.asp
     

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